Children’s Special Health Services (CSHS) – Parent Liason
We offer formal training and informal presentations. We offer support by phone or in person to individuals who need to talk to another parent who “has been there”. Experienced parents are linked with new parents to provide emotional support and information about specific disabilities. Parent Liaisons provide information, referrals, education, training and one to one support to families enrolled in Children’s Special Health Services.
This program is unique because each Parent Liaison is a parent of a child who has a disability or special need and is able to understand the challenges faced by each family as they negotiate through the medical service provider system in order to receive needed medical services.
Developmental Disability Services System Navigation
We offer support over the phone or in person for individuals seeking Medicaid Waiver services through the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities. Our OCDD Liaison works with families to help navigate developmental disability services through information, referral, and support.
Family-to-Family Health Information Center (F2FHIC)
In order to serve you right in your own backyard, Bayou Land Families Helping Families has partnered with Families Helping Families Resource Centers across the state to bringing you Louisiana’s Family to Family Health Information Center.
Our Information Specialists are parents of children or youth with special health care needs. They are uniquely qualified to understand the issues and concerns of families who have children with special health care needs. They are available to assist you in locating resources in your community, our state and nationwide that will help you support your child.
We provide support to families; provide information to families on their child’s health care challenges and on navigating the health care financing maze. We attend health fairs to reach the public making them aware of programs and services that are offered in the community. We also provide trainings on services and resources available to families and on how to advocate for better health care services in our state.
EarlySteps
Here to provide families of children who are receiving EarlySteps services with the information, training, and support they need to be an active participant in the delivery of EarlySteps services to their child. We also assist them in accessing community resources for their family. Additionally, we market and publicize the EarlySteps program to potential and established referral sources, potential participants, and the community at large.
Inclusive Education
Inclusive Education is the education of all students in regular education and community settings to ensure full and valued membership in society.
We believe all students should be provided the same opportunities to be educated in neighborhood schools as their sisters, brothers, friends and neighbors.
We believe with or without disabilities, all students need and should be provided with the support to learn together effectively, using family, school and community.
We believe all students need and should be provided educations which meet their individual needs, result in meaningful outcomes, and prepare them for productive and satisfying lives.
Information and Referral
A system of resources has been developed to provide up-to-date, detailed information on disabilities, educational issues, and general topics of interest to families who have children with disabilities or special needs, adults with disabilities or special needs and professionals working in the disability field. Referrals are made to other agencies that may be able to assist the individual. Also available to families is a Lending Library on disabilities, advocacy, education issues, resources and topics of interest. The Lending Library has many books and videotapes available for check out.
LA Citizens for Action Now (LaCan)
LaCAN is a statewide grassroots network of individuals and families who have worked together since 1988 advocating for a service system that supports individuals with disabilities to live in their own homes, rather than having to move to a facility to receive needed services. Specifically, they have advocated for implementation of Louisiana’s Community and Family Support System Plan. Regional LaCAN teams include parents, individuals with disabilities, and advocates for individualized supports.
LA Together Educating all Children (LaTEACH)
Parents, relatives, friends, teachers, administrators, higher education professionals, policymakers, and other interested persons need a reliable way to get timely, accurate information. Schools are the place students build enduring relationships with friends who will be neighbors, coworkers, employers, and future members of a church family. Schools need parental involvement and advocacy in building a sustainable system to support the needs of all students and to produce meaningful educational outcomes for all.
Parent-to-Parent
We offer formal training and informal presentations. We offer support by phone or in person to individuals who need to talk to another parent who “has been there”. Experienced parents are linked with new parents to provide emotional support and information about specific disabilities. Parent Liaisons provide information, referrals, education, training and one to one support to families enrolled in Children’s Special Health Services.
This program is unique because each Parent Liaison is a parent of a child who has a disability or special need and is able to understand the challenges faced by each family as they negotiate through the medical service provider system in order to receive needed medical services.
Transition
The transition staff work with families and professionals to help train, educate, and empower them to develop an Individualized Transition Plan that will help students reach their fullest potential.